5. Start by peeling back the outermost of the undesired leaves as close to the base as possible. This will expose the growth bud that formed under that leaf.

6. Remove the leaf right at its base so you can see the bud you want to remove clearly.

7. You can use a knife, but a fingernail works just as well. Here Carol gets a nail under the bud we want to remove. Remove the bud entirely, getting as much tissue as possible from the base where it attaches.

8. Here's the bud on the leaf it was under. Be sure to remove the whole bud.

9. Only slightly mangled from the removal of several buds, it is clear that almost all of the rhizome and roots remain. Next year's plant will not lose much ground compared to one that was not subject to Bud Culling. The injured area should be treated with a mild fungicide to help prevent disease. Allowing a few hours drying time in the sun is also helpful.

10. This is what is left after the Bud Culling operation. All stable leaves and their buds have been removed. This plant was then replanted in garden soil. Next year we will show what the results of this demonstration are.